Michael named Blue Team Coach for Liberty Bowl All-Star Game

Millington Head Coach Chris Michael (right) will lead the Blue Team in the 2013 AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Football Game on Dec. 14 at MUS.

MEMPHIS — One of the brightest young coaches in the Memphis area will face one of the area’s most successful veteran coaches in the 12th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Football Game. Millington Central High School Head Coach Chris Michael will coach the Blue Team and Lynord Crutchfield, the longtime head coach at Central High School will lead the Red Team.

The All-Star Game will feature the top 84 players from Shelby County Schools and private schools in the Memphis area.

The game will be played Saturday Dec. 14 at Memphis University School. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, for kids 6 and under the cost is $5. The All-Star Game will also be broadcast on radio by Sports 56 WHBQ.

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game is one of the marquee events on the local high school scene,” said AutoZone Liberty Bowl Executive Director Steve Ehrhart. “With two of the most successful coaches from Memphis and Shelby County leading the teams, we will continue the tradition of excellence the All-Star Game has created over the past 11 years.”

Crutchfield is in his 11th season as a head coach. He currently serves as the leader of the Central Warriors, after stops at Cordova, Rosa Fort (Miss.) and Wooddale. Crutchfield led team have reach the State playoffs in six seasons. He was voted District Coach of the Year in 2004 and has served as an assistant coach in the All-Star Game in 2005 and 2010. Crutchfield has won 61 games as a head coach.

Michael is in his fourth season as a head coach, all at his alma mater Millington. Michael has a 23-14 mark as leader of the Trojans. HE led Millington to the District 14-3A championship in 2011. Michael has served as an assistant coach in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game in 2011 and 2012.

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game gives the fans an opportunity to see local talent that, in many cases, they have only heard or read about,” Michael said. Because of the exposure the All-Star Game has created over the past 11 years, there has been an increase in appreciation for the overall talent that Memphis and Shelby County have at all levels.”

The All-Star teams will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of area head coaches and other football analysts.

Each team will have 42 players. Each player will be selected on the basis of his character, on-field achievement and classroom performance.